Curtis Farm · Fobbing, Essex
Heritage consultancy for a working farmstead in a conservation area.
Heritage Unlimited have provided consultancy services for various projects at Curtis Farm, a working farmstead in the historic village of Fobbing, Essex, including heritage statements, architectural drawings and an appeal statement.
Curtis Farm, situated in the historic village of Fobbing in Essex, embodies the rich heritage and evolving story of rural England. Fobbing itself holds a pivotal place in history as one of the sites of the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381, a significant uprising against oppressive taxes and social injustices.
The farm does retain some historic farm buildings, namely an 18th century granary and farmhouse, both grade II listed. The farmstead is also situated within Fobbing Conservation Area. Surrounding the farmstead are several listed buildings, some contemporary to the farm. Changes in farming techniques have led to the need for diversification of farmsteads and their agricultural structures, many of which are listed buildings and whose form is no longer suitable or capable of accommodating modern farming practices and machinery. Curtis Farm is an example of one of many farms Heritage Unlimited have been engaged to provide their services for, a farm that primarily comprises of mid and late 20th century farm buildings that have been adapted to provide office and workshop spaces as part of the farm’s diversification. New agricultural buildings capable of meeting the requirements of 21st century farming practices have been constructed to the east of the original farmstead.
- Property
- Curtis Farm
- Listing
- Grade II, Conservation Area
- Location
- Fobbing, Essex
- Authority
- Thurrock Council
- Service
- Heritage StatementHeritage Appeal StatementDevelopment AdviceHeritage Statement, Heritage Appeal Statement, Development Advice
- Year
- Outcome
A working farmstead with multiple heritage projects.
Heritage Unlimited have provided consultancy services for various projects at the farm including the reuse and adaptation of a late 20th century open fronted barn for commercial use as part of the farm’s diversification. Heritage Unlimited provided architectural drawings and a Heritage Statement to support a successful planning application.
As part of the development of the modern farmstead which is situated outside but adjacent to the conservation area, Heritage Unlimited were engaged to provide an appeal statement on heritage matters for a new portal frame agricultural barn, which had been refused by the local planning authority.
Interestingly the new farmstead site already contained several modern portal frame agricultural barns clad with metal sheeting, however the conservation officer in their response to the planning application said the proposed building was not in keeping with the open landscape and that the choice of materials for the large structure would not assist its integration with its landscape.
Appeal dismissed on non-heritage grounds — application ultimately granted.
Whilst the appeal was dismissed, the reason did not relate to heritage matters and a subsequent redesign and resubmission supported by a Heritage Statement produced by Heritage Unlimited, the application was finally granted planning permission.
Services on this project
Heritage consultancy services used at Curtis Farm.
Heritage Statements
Multiple Heritage Statements and architectural drawings were prepared to support planning applications for various works at this working farmstead in Fobbing Conservation Area.
About Heritage Statements →Heritage Appeal Statements
An appeal statement on heritage matters was prepared for a new agricultural barn refused planning permission, ultimately leading to a successful redesigned resubmission.
About Heritage Appeal Statements →Planning works at a rural heritage site?
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